Alpha Decay
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About
Topics
- Alpha Decay
- Half Life
- Radiation
Description
Watch alpha particles escape from a polonium nucleus, causing radioactive alpha decay. See how random decay times relate to the half life.
Sample Learning Goals
- Explain what happens in alpha radiation.
- Predict what happens to an element when it undergoes alpha decay.
- Explain the concept of half life, including the random nature of it.
- Begin to gain an understanding of the forces that work to hold an atomic nucleus together (strong nuclear force) and the forces that work to break it apart (Coulomb, i.e. electric charge, force).
For Teachers
Teacher Tips
Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Translations
Related Simulations
Software Requirements
Windows | Macintosh | Linux |
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Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later
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OS 10.5 or later Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later
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Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later
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Credits
Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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